E-Book Overview
TRENDS IN LINGUISTICS is a series of books that open new perspectives in our understanding of language. The series publishes state-of-the-art work on core areas of linguistics across theoretical frameworks as well as studies that provide new insights by building bridges to neighbouring fields such as neuroscience and cognitive science.
TRENDS IN LINGUISTICS considers itself a forum for cutting-edge research based on solid empirical data on language in its various manifestations, including sign languages. It regards linguistic variation in its synchronic and diachronic dimensions as well as in its social contexts as important sources of insight for a better understanding of the design of linguistic systems and the ecology and evolution of language.
TRENDS IN LINGUISTICS publishes monographs and outstanding dissertations as well as edited volumes, which provide the opportunity to address controversial topics from different empirical and theoretical viewpoints. High quality standards are ensured through anonymous reviewing.
E-Book Content
Salish Languages and Linguistics
W G DE
Trends in Linguistics Studies and Monographs 107
Editor
Werner Winter
Mouton de Gruyter Berlin · New York
Salish Languages and Linguistics Theoretical and Descriptive Perspectives
edited by
Ewa Czaykowska-Higgins M. Dale Kinkade
Mouton de Gruyter Berlin · New York
1998
Mouton de Gruyter (formerly Mouton, The Hague) is a Division of Walter de Gruyter & Co., Berlin.
© Printed on acid-free paper which falls within the guidelines of the ANSI to ensure permanence and durability.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication-Data Salish languages and linguistics : theoretical and descriptive perspectives / edited by Ewa Czaykowska-Higgins. M. Dale Kinkade. p. cm. - (Trends in linguistics. Studies and monographs ; 107) Includes bibliographical references (p. ) and index. ISBN 3-11-015492-7 (cloth : acid-free paper) 1. Salishan languages. I. Czaykowska-Higgins, Ewa. II. Kinkade, M. Dale (Marvin Dale), 1933III. Series. PM2261.S35 1998 497'.9-dc21 97-40944 CIP
Die Deutsche Bibliothek — Cataloging-in-Publication-Data Salish languages and linguistics : theoretical and descriptive perspectives / ed. by Ewa Czaykowska-Higgins. M. Dale Kinkade. — Berlin ; New York : Mouton de Gruyter, 1998 (Trends in linguistics : Studies and monographs ; 107) ISBN 3-11-015492-7
© Copyright 1997 by Walter de Gruyter & Co., D-10785 Berlin All rights reserved, including those of translation into foreign languages. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. Printed: Werner Hildebrand, Berlin. Binding: Lüderitz & Bauer, Berlin. Printed in Germany.
Preface
The Salish language family comprises 23 languages spoken over a large area in northwestern North America. Although the languages have been studied by linguists and anthropologists for over 100 years, and the first International Conference on Salish Languages (an annual forum for the discussion of these and neighboring languages) was held in 1966, no collection of papers has ever been dedicated exclusively to Salish linguistics. Furthermore, since the most recent survey of Salish linguistics (Thompson 1979b), a great deal of new linguistic research on Salish has been undertaken and it has become increasingly apparent to linguists that the Salish languages are characterized by properties which make them particularly relevant to the study of theoretical issues in phonology, morphology, morphosyntax, and syntax. In addition, on the applied side, many of today's Salish communities have,